Department for Transport

Eurostar: Coronavirus

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to provide support for cross-channel rail passenger services during the COVID-19 pandemic; and if so, whether that support will be conditional on surplus rolling stock being retained for future use through the Channel Tunnel.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Ministers and officials, working with other Government Departments, have engaged very regularly with international rail operators since March 2020 to discuss the financial impacts of Covid-19 on their businesses. This has included supporting companies to access Government support schemes, where eligible and appropriate, as part of the unprecedented package of financial support for businesses that has been made available by the Chancellor. Officials will continue to engage very closely with international rail operators, monitoring closely the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 on their businesses and discussing the commercial financing options available to them.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the proposed reduction in Network Rail’s enhancement budget announced in the Spending Review 2020 on 25 November 2020, which projects will be affected by this reduction; and for each such project, what assessment they have made of the effects that the reduction will have on (1) project budgets, (2) completion dates, and (3) passenger and freight traffic.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Network Rail’s operations, maintenance and renewals budgets have not been changed as a result of Spending Review 2020. Workbanks will continue to be based on the five-year regulatory funding settlement for 2019-2024. The Spending Review confirmed that the Government will continue to support the railway, investing in ambitious improvements to modernise our railway. In terms of impacts on individual schemes, it remains the case that no schemes have been cancelled nor formal investment decisions taken as a result of the Spending Review.

Railways: Electrification

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which rail electrification projects in England were agreed between 2010 and 2015; and which (1) have been completed, and (2) have not gone ahead.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The table below includes electrification schemes in the 2012 High Level Output Specification and schemes considered by Sir Peter Hendy's re-planning of Network Rail’s investment programme. It also includes Network Rail’s assessment of whether these schemes have been completed. SchemeCompletedGospel Oak to Barking ElectrificationYesNorth of England Programmes/Northern Hub - North West ElectrificationYesWalsall to Rugeley Trent Valley ElectrificationYesMML Programme – Electrification Key Output 1 (Bedford to Kettering/Corby)YesBromsgrove ElectrificationYesGreat Western Electrification Programme - Maidenhead to DidcotYes- Didcot to Wootton Bassett JunctionYes- Reading to NewburyYes- Wootton Bassett Junction to Bristol ParkwayYes- Bristol Parkway to CardiffYes- Wootton Bassett Junction to Bristol Temple MeadsNo- Didcot to OxfordNo- Filton BankNoLostock Junction to Wigan North Western ElectrificationNoMML Programme – Electrification Phase 2 (Kettering to Nottingham and Sheffield via Derby)NoActon (GWML) to Willesden (WCML) ElectrificationNo- Basingstoke – Southampton Central (third rail conversion to OLE)No- Leamington Spa to Coventry Electrification and CapacityNo- Oxford to Bletchley ElectrificationNo- Oxford to Leamington and Coventry to Nuneaton ElectrificationNo- Sheffield to ECML electrificationNo- Southcote Junction to Basingstoke ElectrificationNoNorth trans-Pennine line electrification (Manchester Victoria and Guide Bridge – Huddersfield – Leeds – Colton Jnc)NoOxenholme to Windermere ElectrificationNoSelby to Hull electrificationNoThames Valley Branch LinesNo

Railways: Electrification

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which rail electrification projects (1) are currently taking place, and (2) been given approval to start, in England;and what is the proposed start date for each approved project.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Enabling and design work is currently taking place on the Midland Main Line to complete electrification up to Market Harborough. Following the Spending Review settlement, we continue to progress development and design of the TransPennine Route Upgrade, including the examination of the case for full electrification of the route. A number of other potential electrification schemes are being considered for further development through the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Employment: Coronavirus

Baroness Wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ascertain whether businesses are insisting that staff attend the workplace when they could reasonably be expected to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Callanan: The current Covid restrictions guidance states that you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable to do your job from home. It is important that people stay at home wherever possible to minimise the risk of transmission and Government will continue to reinforce this message when engaging with businesses and representative organisations across a range of different sectors.

Conditions of Employment

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have published for employers and employees seeking assistance from ACAS in relation to employment contracts and tribunals.

Lord Callanan: Guidance on employment law and employment tribunals is published on GOV.UK for employees and employers. GOV.UK also signposts users to Acas for more detailed guidance on employment issues, including on employment contracts and the process to resolve disputes. Acas provide free and impartial advice to employers, employees, and their representatives on employment rights; best practice and policies; and resolving workplace conflict. Acas also publish guidance on different aspects of employment law and employment relationships, and a list of these topics can be found on the Acas site: https://www.acas.org.uk/advice.

Fringe Benefits

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether employers can pro-rate company premiums for private medical cover for short-term employees; if so, by how much; and whether employers can pro-rate other benefits such as holiday pay.

Lord Callanan: Fixed-term employees must not be treated less favourably than a comparable permanent member of staff without an objective justification. Beyond this protection, the terms and conditions of employment, except where they are subject to statutory minimum standards such as the national minimum wage, are a contractual matter for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees (or their representatives). Provided they do not discriminate unlawfully, for example on grounds of race, sex or disability, employers are free to offer the terms and conditions of employment which best suit their business needs.

Domestic Abuse: Victim Support Schemes

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide employers with guidance on how they can support victims of domestic abuse; and whether any such guidance will include recommending access to paid leave.

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of providing support and advice for employers and employees about domestic abuse on the protection of victims of such abuse at work.

Lord Callanan: On 14 January 2021, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published the report from its review into how victims of domestic abuse can be supported in the workplace. This report finds that, with the right support, employers can play a key role in helping to lift the lid on domestic abuse.Throughout this review, we have heard about the value of employers having a policy on how to support victims in their workforce. We encourage all employers to do this, and wherever possible, offer victims flexibility and leave should they need it to access support.The report sets out the next steps for government, including establishing a working group to develop practical solutions to build awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and encourage good practice across all employers.

Employment: Coronavirus

Baroness Wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what sanctionsthey will impose on businesses which insist that staff attend the workplace when they could work effectively from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Callanan: The current Covid restrictions guidance states that you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable to do your job from home. It is important that people stay at home wherever possible to minimise the risk of transmission and Government will continue to reinforce this message when engaging with businesses and representative organisations across a range of different sectors. Under existing health and safety laws, employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. Employers must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this and this includes requiring and supporting those who can reasonably work from home to do so. If employees are concerned that their employer is not taking all practical steps to support working from home, then they can report this to their local authority or the Health and Safety Executive who can take a range of actions.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening

Baroness McGregor-Smith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have received from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergenciesabout false positive results from COVID-19polymerase chain reaction tests.

Lord Bethell: The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies published their paper Impact of false-positives and false-negatives in the UK’s COVID-19 RT-PCR testing programme on 3 June. A copy is attached. This paper indicated that the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction assays used for the COVID-19 testing programme have been verified by Public Health England and show over 95% sensitivity and specificity. The current tests are very specific and the risk of false positives, where the test is reacting to other viruses, is extremely low. Like any diagnostic test there is a possibility of a false negative or false positive result, but this is very small. Independent, confirmatory testing of positive samples indicates a test specificity that exceeds 99.3%, a false positive rate of 1%. Additional guidance has been provided to laboratories to reduce the rate even further.Impact of False Positives and False Negatives (pdf, 235.0KB)

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to give early years workers priority status in their UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan, published on 11 January.

Lord Bethell: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are the independent experts who advise the Government on which vaccines the United Kingdom should use and provide advice on prioritisation at a population level.  For the first phase, the JCVI has advised that the vaccine be given to care home residents and staff, as well as frontline health and social care workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and clinical risk factors. If early years workers are captured in phase one due to their age, or clinical risk factors they will be prioritised. However, the Government, as advised by the JCVI, are not considering vaccinating early years workers as a phase one priority at this stage. Prioritisation decisions for next phase delivery are subject to of the surveillance and monitoring data and information from phase one, as well as further input from independent scientific experts such as the JCVI. Phase two of the roll-out may include further reduction in hospitalisation and targeted vaccination of those at high risk of exposure and/or those delivering key public services.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) estimate they made, and (2) audit they undertook, of the potential (a) demand, and (b) availability, of sub-60 degree freezer capacityin the UK prior to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 2020.

Lord Bethell: Public Health England (PHE) is responsible for the central storage and distribution of ultra-low temperature COVID-19 vaccines. In its preparations to receive vaccines, PHE determined the freezer capacity requirement to support the United Kingdom programme during summer 2020 and secured the freezers against that requirement. These were commissioned and in service before arrival of the vaccine. They provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines which require minus 60 degree Celsius storage or below.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many freezer units capable of sub-60 degree storage of COVID-19 vaccines are available for use by the NHS in (1) England,(2) Northern Ireland, (3) Scotland, and (4) Wales; and where such units are located.

Lord Bethell: Public Health England has 58 ultra-low temperature freezers which provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines which require minus 60-degree Celsius storage or lower.The ultra-low temperature freezers are located in two national storage facilities within Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to manage the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the four nations. The location of the facilities are not disclosed to maintain the integrity of the sites.At a regional level the National Health Service has made preparations including sourcing of ultra-low temperature storage to support local delivery.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government whenthey plan to include (1) community, and (2) independent, pharmacies in their plans for the administering of COVID-19 vaccines.

Lord Bethell: Some pharmacists and members of their team are already working with general practitioners to deliver the vaccine in many areas of the country and, as more supply becomes available, community pharmacies, including independent pharmacies, will play a major role in the programme. Some pharmacies have started to offer COVID-19 vaccinations from 11 January.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pharmacies (1) are currently available, or (2) can be made available, to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, and (d) Northern Ireland.

Lord Bethell: From 14 January, six community pharmacies in England started to offer the COVID-19 vaccination service, with an additional 65 pharmacy-led sites joining from the week commencing 21 January. More pharmacies will be stood up over the coming weeks and months. The Department, NHS England and NHS Improvement and community pharmacy representative bodies will be working together to establish how community pharmacies’ role could be expanded further in the vaccination programme. As health is a devolved matter, the commissioning of community pharmacies to provide COVD-19 vaccination in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are decisions for the respective devolved administrations.

Brain: Tumours

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make the UK a global leader inaddressing brain tumours.

Lord Bethell: The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) is a national convening body of stakeholder organisations established in February 2018 to take forward Baroness Jowell’s requests to improve research and care for people with brain cancer. The Department is an active contributor, including the announcement in May 2018 of £40 million over five years for brain tumour research via the National Institute for Health Research.TJBCM is about to launch a major initiative to designate within the National Health Service the first Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence. These will comprise a world-class network of brain tumour treatment and research centres which provide optimal care, share freely best practice standards, rapidly translate research knowledge into patient benefit, and thereby provide patients with access to the very best treatment.

Drugs

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support and advise NHS Trusts on ‘ready to use’ medicines which (1) improve patient safety through reduced drug administration errors, (2) save nursing time, and (3) relieve pressure on pharmacy teams.

Lord Bethell: The noble Lord Carter of Coles published a report last year on the provision of aseptic medicines, including some critical care medicines, in England. Recommendations included setting up a network of hub and spoke facilities to prepare ready to administer medicines, providing guidance on standard injectable medicines, and training for aseptic pharmacy staff. NHS England and NHS Improvement are setting up a National Health Service aseptic services transformation implementation board to co-ordinate the implementation of these recommendations.The recommended changes will improve patient safety by reducing errors in compounding and administering these medicines. Errors in these medicines are not currently specifically tracked but the report recommends that the NHS begins tracking and reducing them.The creation of regional hub and spoke services could release the equivalent of over 4,000 whole time equivalent nurses each year. This is based on the time taken for nurses to prepare the 14 most commonly used aseptic medicines. The development of a hub and spoke system will offer opportunities for production at scale, relieving pressure on hospital pharmacies.

Pectus Excavatum: Surgery

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the availability of pectus deformity surgery in (1) Scotland, (2) Wales, and (3) Northern Ireland; and whetherthey intend to review the guidance on commissioning surgery for pectus deformity procedures in light of this assessment.

Lord Bethell: Health is a devolved matter in the United Kingdom and each of the devolved administrations has established its own systems and processes for determining which at and how healthcare services will be available. In England, specialised services and treatments are the responsibility of NHS England and NHS Improvement and decisions are made in accordance with their published processes.NHS England and NHS Improvement’s position on surgery for pectus deformity is set out in their clinical commissioning policy from February 2019. Their conclusion is that there is not enough evidence to routinely commission the intervention, although this policy will be reviewed when warranted by the receipt of new information.

Brain: Tumours

Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the correlation between (1) the amount of finance available to, and (2) the time taken to find successful treatments and cures by, those undertaking research into diseases; and in particular, what assessment they have made of the impact of funding levels on the speed of finding treatments for brain tumours in young people.

Lord Bethell: The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including brain tumours in young people. As with other Government funders of health research, the NIHR does not allocate funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area, is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and scale of successful funding applications.The NIHR is working with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission towards funding workshops for previously unsuccessful researchers to support them in submitting higher quality research applications. The NIHR only fund high quality research and all applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition.Additionally, through the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, we are working with research funding partners who fund research into new scientific discoveries, such as Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and the brain tumour charities. We stand ready to translate these much-needed discoveries as quickly as possible into new treatments and diagnostics for patients via the NIHR. In May 2018 the Government announced £40 million over five years for brain tumour research as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission through the NIHR.

Coronavirus: Gyms

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the scientific basis for the decision that gyms may remain open in Blackburn but have been closed in Wirral.

Lord Bethell: Hygiene and social distancing measures are vitally important for reducing the transmission risk of COVID-19. We know that the virus spreads readily in any indoor environment where members of different households and/or support bubbles spend time together, so the transmission risk in indoor settings, such as gyms, remains high.We recognise the efforts that have been made to reduce risk across a range of venues. As decisions are based on a number of factors, it is possible for variation to exist between different local authority areas.

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide additional support for people with mental health problems that have been (1) caused, or (2) exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Bethell: We published Staying mentally well this winter in November 2020, in an online only format. This sets out the support being made available for people in the winter months. This plan includes advice on wellbeing, information on accessing mental health services, support in communities and support for frontline health and social care workers. Talking therapies will continue to be made available remotely so people can access help safely from home and the National Health Service will work to ensure the option of face to face support is provided where it is clinically safe to do so. For those with severe needs or in crisis, all NHS mental health providers have established 24 hours a day, seven days a week urgent mental health helplines.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Baroness Noakes: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theanswer by Lord Bethell that “the nosocomial infection that we are seeing is at dramatically lower rates that it was in the past” in relation to COVID-19 on 12 November (HL Deb, col 1256),to quantify thereduction of nosocomial infection rate which took place in the period referred to.

Lord Bethell: Given the incubation period of the virus and local differences in application of testing protocols, it is not possible to definitively determine the number of people who contracted the virus while in hospital in England to date.In my answer of 12 November I did not make a direct comparison with hospital cases, but with the number of COVID-19 cases overall, taking into account nosocomial infections in other settings.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Baroness Fall: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been treated for mental health issues on child and adolescent wards in hospitals since 23 March 2020; and what was the figure for such treatment from 23 March 2019 to 22 March 2020.

Lord Bethell: The information requested is shown in the following table: 23 March 2019 – 22 March 20203,56423 March 2020 – 30 November 20202,822Source: Mental Health Services Dataset Notes: Treatment for mental health issues has been defined as people with a hospital stay in a ward setting categorised as a child and adolescent mental health ward.The total provided for 23 March 2020 to 30 November 2020 represents the latest available data.This data for both ranges includes patients whose hospital spell began prior to 23 March but whose hospital treatment continued after that date.

Mental Health Services: Children

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the announcementby Childline on 13 January that there was a 16 per cent increase in the number of counselling sessions about mental health with children aged 11 and under from April to December 2020 as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Bethell: We continue to work closely with the Department for Education, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and a wide range of stakeholders to support all people’s mental wellbeing and mental health, and we are working with them to ensure that children and young people and their parents or carers know what support is available. For those who need them, NHS services remained open throughout the first wave and will do so throughout the second.

Coronavirus: Screening

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish detailed guidance on the type of cough that should prompt a person tobooka COVID-19test.

Lord Bethell: The three main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste and a new continuous cough. This means coughing for more than an hour or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Baroness Noakes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many primary care networks have no GP practices which are delivering COVID-19 vaccines to patients.

Baroness Noakes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to take any action in relation to primary care networks which chose not to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to patients within their area.

Lord Bethell: NHS England and NHS Improvement commissioned the general practice COVID-19 vaccination service in line with agreed national terms and conditions, as an enhanced service (ES). Individual general practices were able to opt in to deliver the vaccine, coming together in Primary Care Network groupings to administer the vaccine as local vaccination services. As of 15 January 2021, 992 local vaccination services have opened to administer the vaccine. The number of individual general practices which have or have not opted into the ES is not collected or held centrally.Equal access to COVID-19 vaccinations is a key consideration for planning and deployment of the vaccine programme. Where there are gaps in provision, NHS England will commission additional providers such as community pharmacy, hospital hubs and mass vaccination centres to provide vaccinations. The first community pharmacy sites began delivering the vaccinations from 11 January.

Coronavirus: Vitamin D

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Royal Society Open ScienceVitamin D and COVID-19: evidence and recommendations for supplementation, published on 1 December 2020; and what plans they have to adopt any actions as a result of any such assessment.

Lord Bethell: Public Health England (PHE) is aware of the Royal Society’s paper but has made no formal assessment. Current Government advice on vitamin D and health is based on recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Public Health England and the SACN published COVID-19 rapid guideline: vitamin D in December 2020 which concluded that there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19. The expert panel supported current Government advice for everyone to take the supplement throughout the autumn and winter for bone and muscle health. A copy COVID-19 rapid guideline: vitamin D is attached. From this month the Government is providing a free four-month supply of daily vitamin D supplements to adults on the clinically extremely vulnerable list that have opted in to receive the supplements and residents in residential and nursing care homes in England to help support general health, in particular bone and muscle health.

Coronavirus: Screening

Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bethell on 10 December (HL10848), what steps they have taken reliably to determine the operational false positive rate for polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 mass testing; and how they have made any such determination.

Lord Bethell: Polymerase chain reaction tests are very specific and the risk of false positives where the test is reacting to other viruses is extremely low. Independent confirmatory testing of positive samples indicates a test specificity that exceeds 99.3%, or a false positive rate of 1%, and additional guidance has been provided to laboratories to reduce the rate even further.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of thereport by the Care Quality Commission following its inspection from 25 to 29 January 2016 Specialist community mental health services for children and young people Quality Report, published on 27 May 2016.

Lord Bethell: Following its inspection of Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s specialist community mental health services for children and young people in January 2016, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the core service as good. All CQC reports undergo a robust internal quality assurance process, as well as factual accuracy checks by the provider. In addition to this, the CQC’s ratings review team will consider any challenges from providers in regard to published ratings. As part of the CQC's regulatory model, the CQC monitors providers on an ongoing basis. This activity helps the CQC to understand which services are progressing well and which are not and informs decisions about which core services are inspected and how frequently. The CQC have undertaken monitoring activity with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust since the 2016 inspection.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government how effective (1) an adenovirus vector, and (2) an mRNA, COVID-19 vaccineis if a person only receives one of the two doses required under the vaccination protocols.

Lord Bethell: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that as many people on the JCVI’s priority list as possible should be offered a first vaccine dose as the initial priority. One dose of the vaccine offers important protection and allows us to reach as many at risk people as possible in order to offer protection until the second dose can be administered. All individuals will subsequently receive a second dose in due course. It can be assumed that protection from the first dose will require boosting in order to provide more durable protection. The JCVI supports a two-dose vaccine schedule for the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Coronavirus

Lord Morrow: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of evidence thatsuggests people can be reinfected with COVID-19 more than once; and what estimate they have made of the number of people who have contracted COVID-19 for a second time.

Lord Bethell: The SARS-CoV-2 Immunity & REinfection EvaluatioN (SIREN) study follows up healthcare workers across the United Kingdom to estimate reinfection risk following a natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. Preliminary results suggest that reinfection is possible, though rare. This is supported by several case reports on reinfection internationally.Forty four potential cases of reinfections were detected among 6,614 participants who had evidence of a past infection, contributing 1,339,078 days of follow-up. Those who had antibodies upon enrolment had a rate of becoming (re)infected that was 83% lower than that among those who had no antibodies upon enrolment. No estimate has been made of the number of people who have contracted COVID-19 for a second time in the general population.

Protective Clothing: Procurement

Lord Strasburger: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer given byLord Bethell on 1 December (HL10548),what “associated commercial implications” are engaged by disclosure of the requested non-commercial information; and which of the categories of non-commercial information that were requested give rise to those “associated commercial implications”.

Lord Bethell: The Department has considered the position of suppliers which were referred to the high priority channel. The disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position and could have a potentially detrimental impact on their revenue and/or their ability to obtain future contracts.

Neuromuscular Disorders: Health Services

Lord Dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made on the impact of COVID-19 on the rehabilitation needs of people living with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis; and what plans they have to work with NHS England on a long term strategy for delivering (1) physiotherapy, (2) speech and language therapy, and (3) occupational therapy to people with neurological conditions to help them maintain their wellbeing.

Lord Bethell: On 23 December 2020, NHS England outlined priorities for the remainder of 2020-2021, including maximising capacity to treat non-COVID-19 patients. This capacity includes services to people with neurological diseases, for example physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The provision of rehabilitation support in England is a local matter, and local commissioners are best placed to provide services according to local need.NHS England and NHS Improvement have commenced work on updating their guidance for clinical commissioning groups on commissioning accessible, high quality rehabilitation services. This has included engagement with professional bodies’ clinicians, alongside other stakeholders, societies and third sector organisations who represent the patient voice.

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust: Gender Recognition

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of steps taken by the Board of Directors of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (1) to monitor the Gender Identity Development Service, and (2) to address any concerns raised by clinicians of that Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theresponse of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust to concerns raised by clinicians about the use of puberty-blocking drugs to treat young people presenting with gender dysphoria.

Lord Bethell: The board of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust will meet to formally agree a remedial plan that responds to the various concerns. In the interim, the Chief Executive of the Trust has publicly acknowledged the need for improvements in the service and has announced plans for bringing in senior clinical expertise from outside the service to help implement change.

Department for Education

Askham Bryan College: Expenditure

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have paid in grants to Askham Bryan College for the development of assets and projects relating to the Newton Rigg estate in each of the last seven years; and for which projects any such grants were provided.

Baroness Berridge: In the 2020-21 financial year, the department provided all further education colleges and designated institutions with the Further Education Capital Allocation for addressing estate in poor condition. £200 million was allocated in total, and Askham Bryan received £845,748. The college is able to invest that funding according to the condition need identified in the department’s Condition Data Collection or its own survey.Between the 2015-16 financial year and the present, Local Economic Partnerships have had devolved responsibility for allocating skills capital funding via the Local Growth Fund. There is no record of funding for the Newton Rigg campus.Before 2015, capital funding for colleges was the responsibility of the Skills Funding Agency. In the 2014-15 financial year, a grant of £139,593 was paid to Askham Bryan College. There is no record as to whether any part of that funding was used in relation to Newton Rigg campus

Teachers: Coronavirus

Baroness Brady: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that teachers are prioritised to receive theCOVID-19vaccine.

Baroness Berridge: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are the independent experts who advise the government on which vaccine/s the UK should use and provide advice on who should be offered them. The JCVI advises that the first priorities for the COVID-19 vaccination should be the prevention of mortality and the maintenance of the health and social care systems, and as the risk of mortality from COVID-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age. This prioritisation captures almost all preventable deaths from COVID-19. In the next phase of the vaccine rollout, the JCVI have asked that the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) consider occupational vaccination in collaboration with other Government departments. The department is working with DHSC and Public Health England to ensure that the education and childcare workforce is considered for prioritisation in the roll out of the vaccine.

Pupil Exclusions: Coronavirus

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to provide for the education of children excluded from school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baroness Berridge: The government has made clear it will do whatever it takes to support children affected by COVID-19.Good behaviour in schools is crucial if children are to learn and reach their full potential. As well as delivering excellent teaching, schools should be calm, orderly, and disciplined environments free from the low level disruption that prevents teachers from teaching, and pupils from learning.The department supports head teachers using suspensions or expulsions where warranted. There is no right number of expulsions, but we are clear that expulsion should only be used as a last resort, and expulsion from school should not mean expulsion from a good quality education and support to reduce risk and vulnerability.Children in alternative provision (AP) are some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged and we have prioritised supporting them while attendance at schools has been restricted. AP should remain open to vulnerable children and children of critical workers, recognising that the characteristics of the cohorts in alternative provision will mean these schools continue to offer face to face provision for all pupils, where appropriate. Our latest guidance for special schools specialist, post-16 providers and alternative provision during the national lockdown provided for expelled pupils: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/953215/Guidance_for_special_schools__specialist_post-16_providers_and_alternative_provision_during_the_national_lockdown.pdf.Suitable full-time education must be arranged from the 6th school day of expulsion or suspension for pupils of compulsory school age. In the case of an expulsion, this is the duty of the local authority. Statutory guidance sets out that head teachers should take reasonable steps to ensure that work is set and marked for pupils during the first five school days of expulsion where the pupil will not be attending AP.If a pupil is attending AP after being expelled, it is the duty of the local authority to arrange AP from the fifth day of the expulsion. Statutory guidance on the use of AP sets out that suitable education is that which appropriately meets the needs of pupils and gives them an education on par with mainstream schooling: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-provision.

Free School Meals: Immigrants

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the letter from Baroness Williams of Trafford to all peers on 22 October 2020 on issues raised during the Report stage of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, whether the Department for Education’s review of how immigration status and restrictions interact with free school meal and other educational entitlements was completed during the autumn term; if so, (1) whether, and (2) when, this review will be published; and if not, when this review will be completed.

Baroness Berridge: We are working with departments across government to evaluate access to free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds. This review has not been formally concluded at present. In the meantime, the extension of eligibility will continue with the current income threshold until a decision on long-term eligibility is made.Once the review is complete, we will update our guidance accordingly. Our current guidance regarding the extension is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/guidance-for-the-temporary-extension-of-free-school-meals-eligibility-to-nrpf-groups.

Students: Digital Technology

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help universities provide digital technology to financially disadvantaged students.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: My hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Universities, and departmental officials are aware of the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on some students. Officials are working with the sector to continue to monitor the situation.The government’s expectations are very clear: universities should maintain the quality and quantity of tuition and seek to ensure that all students regardless of their background have the resources to study remotely. The Office of Students (OfS) has made it clear that all higher education providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards, which set out requirements to ensure that courses are high quality, that students are supported and achieve good outcomes, and that standards are protected.Higher education providers must also continue to comply with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that education and learning is accessible to all students. When making changes to the delivery of their courses, providers need to consider how to support all students, particularly the most vulnerable, to achieve successful academic and professional outcomes.The government has already worked closely with the OfS to help clarify that providers can draw upon existing funding to increase hardship funds and support disadvantaged students affected by the pandemic. Providers are able to use the funding, worth around £256 million for academic year 2020/21, towards student hardship funds, including the purchase of IT equipment. We are also currently making available up to £20 million of hardship funding to support those that need it most, particularly disadvantaged students.The government has also invested over £400 million to help provide laptop computers and electronic tablets for disadvantaged children and young people so that they can access education and social care services remotely. As part of this, we have provided devices for care-leavers, including those who may be studying at university.

Newton Rigg College

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the report of the Newton Rigg Strategic Review undertaken by the Further Education Commissioner Team and which concluded in December 2020.

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Further Education Commissioner Team that undertook the (1) Newton Rigg Strategic Review, and (2) Newton Rigg Review, about publishing any financial planning proposals by Askham Bryan College relating to the viability and future of Newton Rigg college in Penrith.

Baroness Berridge: The Newton Rigg Strategic Review process has been extended. The Further Education Commissioner team and Education and Skills Funding Agency officials are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, including Askham Bryan College, to try and find a solution for retaining some or all of the education provision on the Newton Rigg campus.Askham Bryan College is independent of the government and is responsible for any decision on Newton Rigg and the associated financial implications.

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: China

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage (1) trade with China, and (2) investment in the Chinese economy.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: China is an important trading partner for the UK, and we are pursuing increased bilateral trade. The Department identifies market opportunities through its dedicated trade and investment network in major cities across China, which is ready to provide advice and support to ensure UK businesses take full advantage of emerging opportunities. The Department for International Trade (DIT) and its delivery partners provide support for UK-based companies’ outward investments in China and other jurisdictions where there is a positive impact on the UK economy.  As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment, including from China, where it supports UK growth and jobs. But we will not accept investments which compromise our national security.

UK-Africa Investment Summit

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the outcome of the Africa Investment Conference held on 20 January; and what plans they have to follow up on any commitments made at that Conference.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: Based on our initial assessment, the Africa Investment Conference was a success, with more than 2,800 visitors including over 1,000 individual delegates from the African and UK business communities respectively, and a positive uptake of businesses interested in further engagement after the conference. We are carrying out an evaluation of the conference to obtain more information about its impact, and plan to follow up the event with further activity both in Africa nations and the UK.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Yemen: Humanitarian Situation

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they made to the government of the United States about (1) the designation of the Houthi movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by that government, and (2) the humanitarian implications of such a designation.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply concerned by assessments from the UN and NGOs that the US Administration's decision to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation is likely to disrupt the humanitarian response and stop vital food supplies getting in to Yemen. We have already engaged with the US to urge them to ensure that the vital humanitarian response, including food supplies, is not disrupted and will be raising this urgently with the new administration.

British Nationals Abroad: Diplomatic Service

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consular support they provide to UK citizens subject (1) to arbitrary detention, and (2) to torture; whether they provide guidance to their embassies on the nature of such support; and if so, (a) what such guidance says, and (b) what limitations on consular support such guidance advises.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The assistance we can, and cannot, provide to British nationals abroad is set out in the publication: Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-britishnationals-abroad-a-guide). This also sets out who we can help, and that the level and type of assistance we offer is tailored to the individual circumstances of each case and local conditions. If a British national is not treated in line with internationally-accepted standards, which may include if their trial does not follow internationally-recognised standards for a fair trial, we will consider approaching local authorities. We take all allegations of torture and mistreatment very seriously and will follow up with action appropriate to the circumstances of the case. Although we cannot investigate torture or mistreatment allegations, with the individual's permission, we can raise them with the local authorities, demanding an end to the mistreatment, and that the incident is investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice. Consular staff have access to a range of guidance, training, and supervision to support them.

Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal: Judges

Baroness Eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the practice of British judges sitting on Hong Kong's CourtofFinal Appeal confers legitimacy on processes otherwise undermined by the actions of the government of China.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: British judges have played an important role in supporting the independence of Hong Kong's judiciary for many years. We want and hope that this can continue. The UK judiciary is independent of the Government and it is for them to make an assessment on this. It is therefore right that the Supreme Court continues to assess the situation in Hong Kong, in discussion with the Government.

UN Security Council

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatare their priorities for their presidency of the UN Security Council in February.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK's presidency of the UN Security Council in February 2021 is an important moment in a year of international leadership for the UK. We will use our presidency to maximise impact while role modelling a more efficient and effective presidency of the Council. There will be a particular focus on climate security and vaccines.

Jerusalem: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on East Jerusalem of reports that the government of Israel intends to displace the Palestinian community in that area and replace it with Israelis.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We regularly make clear our concerns about evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities, both bilaterally and in co-operation with like-minded diplomatic partners. These practices cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, call into question Israel's commitment to a viable two-state solution and, in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

Baroness Eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to designate the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have been clear about our concerns over Iran and the IRGC's continued destabilising activity throughout the region, which includes political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups, including Hizballah in Lebanon and Syria, militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. The IRGC is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK. The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review. We do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Baroness Eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the governments of China, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States should be renegotiated in the light of (1) mission development, (2) sunset clauses, and (3) breaches by Iran of limits on enriched uranium stocks.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The JCPoA is currently the only framework for constraining and verifying Iran's nuclear programme. In the absence of something better, we will continue to support it. I welcome President Biden's commitment that if Iran returns to compliance with the deal the US would re-enter the agreement, seeking to both strengthen and extend it. This is an important opportunity to restart engagement between Iran and the US, and to realise the objectives of the JCPoA.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by B'TselemA regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: this is apartheid,published on 12 January.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has not made an assessment of this report. It is the policy of this government that any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision after consideration of all the available evidence, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue, encouraging the Israeli government to do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all. The UK also engages with Israel on issues of concern related to its occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate-General in Jerusalem work closely with all sectors of Israeli and Palestinian society to encourage tolerance and progress towards peace. The UK position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a two-state solution. A two state solution is the only way to preserve Israel's Jewish and democratic identity. The UK has urged the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to meet their obligations under the Oslo Accords, and to work towards a sustainable solution to the conflict. We also call on all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law and to promote peace, stability and security.

Russia: Open Skies Treaty

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had withthe government of Russia about its plans towithdraw from the Open Skies Treaty.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Her Majesty’s Government have continually highlighted their willingness to discuss Russia’s concerns around the Open Skies Treaty (OST) via the appropriate channel of the Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC) in Vienna. The UK responded to the government of Russia bilaterally on 31 December, reasserting our commitment to the OST and welcoming further discussion at the OSCC. States parties to the Treaty, including Russia, discussed the issue on 19 January, when the UK expressed its disappointment at the Russian decision, and again at the recent OSCC meeting on 25 January when the UK called on Russia to engage constructively with other signatories. The senior responsible official in London also speaks regularly with Russian diplomats about issues surrounding the Open Skies Treaty, and the UK Delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) maintain regular dialogue with their Russian counterparts

West Bank: Olives

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statistics compiled by the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Camping coalition which suggest that over 8,400 olive trees have been uprooted or burned by the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli settlers in the West Bank in 2020.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the difficulties facing Palestinian olive growers. Attacks on olive groves are particularly painful to Palestinians given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers. We have expressed our concerns to the Government of Israel and security officials about the destruction of olive trees and the prevention of access to them on a number of occasions. The UK condemns any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. We urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance and bring those responsible to justice.

Gaza: Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) physical, and (2) economic, risks to (a) farmers, and (b) fishermen, in Gaza of the extent of thebuffer zones in Gaza being changed by the government of Israel.

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that farmers and fishermen working within the borders of Gaza designated by the government of Israel have been targeted by the Israel Defense Forces; and what steps they plan to take in response to such reports.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains concerned about the use of live ammunition and excessive force by the Israel Defense Forces. While Israel has the right to self-defence, it is vital that its actions are proportionate and seek to avoid civilian casualties. We regularly raise with the Government of Israel the urgent need to ease all access and movement restrictions on Gaza, including agriculture and fishing limits. This would help to restore the agricultural and fishing industries as regular alterations to the zone, often as a punitive measure, cause uncertainty and insecurity. The UK would like to see a permanent increase in the size of the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza in line with the limit of 20 nautical miles stipulated in the Oslo accords. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza and that supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly in Israel's long-term interests.

Palestinians: Elections

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are takingto ensure that all Palestinians are able to vote freely in (1) the elections for the legislature on 22 May, and (2) the presidential election on 31 July.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We welcome President Abbas' announcement of dates for legislative and Presidential elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time since 2006. We encourage the Palestinian leadership to work toward strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Free and fair elections are an important and necessary step. The UK will work closely with the Palestinian Authority and international partners to support this. We are supportive of Hamas-Fatah reconciliation attempts, and of the Palestinian Authority returning to resume government functions in Gaza, helping to improve the dire humanitarian and economic situation and restore effective and accountable governance.

Israeli Settlements

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israelabout the proposed settlement at Givat Hamatos.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including settlement expansion within the West Bank. Both the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa made clear our opposition to settlement advancement in the sensitive location of Givat HaMatos on 21 January. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa raised construction in Givat HaMatos with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 18 January and urged the Government of Israel not to proceed. The British Embassy Tel Aviv also urged the Israeli Authorities to cease the construction process in a meeting alongside European counterparts on 19 January. The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. Settlement expansion is also a counterproductive move in light of the positive developments of normalisation agreements reached between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. We call on Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately.

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the government of the United States’ decision to designate the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organisation on humanitarian (1) operations, and (2) access, in Yemen.

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the government of the United States’ decision to designate the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organisation,and (2) the COVID-19 pandemic, on (a) hunger, and (b) poverty, in Yemen.

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the government of the United States’ decision to designate the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organisation on Yemen’s (1) economy, and (2) food imports.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply concerned by assessments from the UN and NGOs that the US Administration's decision to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation is likely to disrupt the humanitarian response and stop vital food supplies getting in to Yemen. We have already engaged with the US to urge them to ensure that the vital humanitarian response, including food supplies and commercial imports, is not disrupted. Ministers and officials will continue to engage closely with the UN and other donors, including the new US administration, to ensure life-saving humanitarian aid reaches the millions of Yemenis in need.We are calling on all parties in Yemen to facilitate the movement of humanitarian supplies and experts into and across the country to ensure an effective COVID-19 response. We are clear that agreeing a peace settlement will give Yemen the best chance of managing COVID-19.

Eritrea: Overseas Aid

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to exclude roadbuilding from future UK-funded development projects in Eritrea.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Budget allocations are made for financial years and allocations for 2021/22 have not yet been made. These will be decided through a rigorous business planning and budget allocation process in early 2021. There are currently no plans to use UK bilateral aid to support roadbuilding projects in Eritrea.

Eritrea: Overseas Aid

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total amount allocated for UK-funded development projects in Eritrea in the 2020/21 financial year; and what spending is planned for such projects in 2021/22.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has allocated £2 million to support UNICEF in Eritrea in 2020/21. This funding is channelled through our Nutrition, Health and Sanitation Support programme, Africa Humanitarian Response Fund, and UNICEF's Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All programme. Our support will provide assistance to over 450,000 pregnant women and children in response to humanitarian needs exacerbated by COVID-19 in Eritrea.Budget allocations are made for financial years and allocations for 2021/22 have not yet been made. These will be decided through a rigorous business planning and budget allocation process in early 2021

Eritrea: Overseas Aid

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any UK-funded development projects in Eritrea have been (1) cancelled, or (2) had their funding reduced, following the announcement of the cut to the UK aid budget.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Budget allocations are made for financial years and allocations for 2021/22. These have not yet been made and will be decided through a rigorous business planning and budget allocation process in early 2021.

Tigray: Human Rights

The Lord Archbishop of York: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia (1) to provide unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray, and (2) to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in Tigray.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has been at the forefront, liaising closely with the UN and partners, in calling for sustained, free and unfettered humanitarian access across Tigray, in line with the guiding principles laid down by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We continue to press for the supply of humanitarian assistance to all those who need it, including in the recent December visit by the Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs. We continue to work with the UN to monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it including to civilians in contested areas.We have made clear with Ethiopian Ministers the need to protect civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We continue to call for independent, international, investigations into allegations of human right abuses and violations, and that the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven are held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia

Sudan: Refugees

The Lord Archbishop of York: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of refugees going from Ethiopia to Sudan; and what support they are providing to the government of Sudan to respond to the humanitarian needs of these refugees.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: It is clear that the conflict in Tigray has had significant consequences and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, both internally and externally, as well as adversely impacting upon those that were already in need of humanitarian assistance. As of 19 January, 59,280 people have sought refuge in Sudan. We are extremely concerned that humanitarian agencies, including the UN High Commission for Refugees, still do not have access to refugee camps in northern Tigray, who have been without aid for many weeks. The UK continues to call for sustained, free and unfettered access to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance.

Tigray: Human Rights

The Lord Archbishop of York: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of human rights abuses in Tigray; and what support they are providing (1) to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, (2) to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and (3) to the African Union, to (a) investigate, and (b) document, such abuses.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are shocked and saddened by further reports from Tigray of massacres of civilians, sexual violence, and attacks on humanitarian facilities and places of worship. An ongoing lack of access to the Tigray region for human rights organisations, means that it remains difficult to confirm these reports. We will continue to work with partners to seek further information. The UK has, alongside the UN and international partners, called on all sides to ensure the protection of civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We support the call by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission for the independent investigation of human rights violations and unfettered access to Tigray - points the Foreign Secretary discussed with PM Abiy in Addis Ababa on 22 January. We also continue to call for the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven to be held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia. The UK has welcomed the efforts to date of the three distinguished Special Envoys from the African Union (AU). Prime Minister Abiy met with the three AU Envoys on 27 November 2020 and we continue to encourage the Ethiopian Government to maintain engagement with the AU and the Special Envoys, and continue to call for a cessation of violence.

Tigray: Humanitarian Aid

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further (1) to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, and (2) to reports that there have been difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to that region, what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about ensuring that (a) aid is delivered, and (b) humanitarian assistance is accessible, in Tigray.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We support the assessment reports by the two joint UN and Government of Ethiopia assessment missions to Tigray that have taken place, noting that these were limited. The UK continues to call for sustained, free and unfettered access to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance in Tigray. The UK is working closely with humanitarian organisations to make sure aid reaches civilians affected by the fighting. The Foreign Secretary visited Gondar in neighbouring Amhara region on 22 January to see response coordination. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are working hard to deliver support in challenging circumstances, including shelter, water and healthcare.We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it, including to civilians in contested areas.

Tigray: Humanitarian Situation

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, what assessment theyhave made of reports of (1) food shortages, (2) looting, (3) sexual violence, and (3) damage to cultural heritage, in Tigray.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are shocked and saddened by further reports from Tigray of massacres of civilians, sexual violence, and attacks on humanitarian facilities and places of worship as well as reports of looting. An ongoing lack of access to the Tigray region for human rights organisations, means that it remains difficult to confirm these reports. We will continue to work with partners to seek further information. We are also concerned about the impact of the conflict on food security and nutrition in Tigray. We are in close contact with the UN's World Food Programme, to understand humanitarian needs and what programme adaptations are required, as well as monitoring the regional situation.We have made clear with Ethiopian Ministers the need to protect civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We continue to call for independent, international, investigations into allegations of human right abuses and violations, and that the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven are held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia.

Ministry of Defence

Indo-Pacific Region: Military Alliances

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries have agreed to contribute in (1) naval, or (2) logistical support, terms to the UK’s planned deployment of a Royal Navy carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific region in 2021.

Baroness Goldie: This will be a UK sovereign deployment but importantly it provides the opportunity to work with NATO allies and our global partners. On 19 January we were pleased to announce that the UK and US Governments have signed a Joint Declaration which allows a United States Navy destroyer and a detachment of United States Marine Corps F-35B fast jets to accompany the task group, together with their supporting personnel. Detailed planning continues and we will make a statement to the House in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Furs: Sales

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ban the sale of real fur in the UK.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 and since 2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.There are restrictions on some skin and fur products which may never be legally imported into the UK. These include fur and products from cats and dogs, and seal skins and products from commercial hunts.We have established controls on fur from endangered species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and we do not allow imports of fur from wild animals caught using methods which are non-compliant with international humane trapping standards.Now our future relationship with the EU has been established the government is considering any further steps it could take in relation to fur.

Dogs: Northern Ireland

Baroness Wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in the cost of transporting dogs from Northern Ireland to Great Britain since 31 December 2020.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We are not aware of increased costs on this route as there are no specific animal health or documentary requirements to enter Great Britain from Northern Ireland with a non-commercial pet, or commercial dog. We would welcome further information from stakeholders and members of the public on costs associated with these movements. For information on entrance requirements for dogs travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the public should consult the information provided by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, on their website.

Home Office

Terrorism

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many organisations and individuals have been identified as engaging in Left, Anarchist, and Single-Issue Terrorism.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government does not comment on the specifics of intelligence matters.

Windrush Generation

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date they plan to commence hosting "reconciliation events" with individuals from the Windrush generation.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are hosting a series of events to allow members of the Windrush generation and their wider community to share their experiences. By engaging with their stories, the Home Office can acknowledge, continue to learn from the past and take the necessary measures to improve the culture in the department.We also want to celebrate the contribution of members of the Windrush generation to the UK, as a form of cultural commemoration, rebalance the Home Office’s relationship with communities and look to the future. As this kind of forum works best in person, we have had to delay their commencement, in light of Covid restrictions.

Passports: British National (Overseas)

Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British National (Overseas) passport applications were received in each month of 2020.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: British passport applications are not recorded by nationality type when an application is received, and therefore the data requested is unavailable.The table below provides the number of British National (Overseas) passports that were issued in each month of 2020:MonthBNO Issued in 2020January28,995February7,889March6,288April363May2,270June7,719July24,973August33,249September48,081October60,907November56,563December39,687*These figures are correct at the time of reporting and subject to change.

Immigration: Hong Kong

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people from Hong Kong have applied for residence in the UK in each of the last six months.

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people from Hong Kong they estimate will apply for residence in the UK in each of the next five years.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route opened for applications on 31 January 2021.From 15 July to 14 October 2020, a total of 2116 BN(O) citizens and their dependants have been granted Leave Outside the Rules at the border. Yet this data is not considered to be a reliable proxy for the number of people who may apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa.As set out in our impact assessment, our central range projects between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) citizens and their dependants will come in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years.Details of the impact assessment can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdfImpact Assessment   (pdf, 296.1KB)

Paramedical Staff: Prescription Drugs

Lord Butler of Brockwell: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theletter from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs tothe Minister of State for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service and theParliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care on 18 October 2019, what plans they have to amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to enable paramedics (1) to prescribe, and (2) to administer, the drugs specified by NHS England.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government is considering the advice provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the independent prescribing and administration of specified controlled drugs by paramedics and intends to respond in the near future.The Home Office works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care on issues concerning the use of controlled drugs in healthcare, and this timescale reflects the balance of priorities within Government, in particular in addressing COVID-19. The response will be published on gov.uk.

Police

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government which (1) political, and (2) campaigning, organisations have been (a) monitored, and (b) infiltrated, by police, or at the direction of police, since 1991.

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) political, and (2) campaigning, organisations have been (a) monitored, and (b) infiltrated, by police, or at the direction of police, since 1991.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Part 2 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act provides the police with the power to authorise surveillance and covert human intelligence sources where it is necessary for one of the statutory purposes (i.e. the prevention and detection of crime) and proportionate to what is sought to be achieved. The police are operationally independent of government and the exercise of those powers is therefore a matter for the individual forces concerned.In 2015 the Home Office established the Undercover Policing Inquiry, to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry’s investigations remain ongoing and it will publish a report of its conclusions in due course.

Asylum: Napier Barracks

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the hunger strikes and other protests undertaken by some of the residents ofasylum seeker accommodation at Napier Barracksin Folkestone; what steps they are taking (1) to investigate, and (2) to address, the cause of such protests; whateducation and leisure facilities they (a) have provided, and (b) intend to provide, for use by those residents; and what provision is in place for (i) mental health,(ii) pastoral, and (iii) spiritual, support.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government takes the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously. We provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with safe, warm and secure accommodation, whilst their claims are being processed.Since Napier Barracks opened for asylum accommodation, the Home Office has worked closely with Clearsprings and Migrant Help, providers of accommodation and advice services, and in partnership with local authorities, the police force and other partners to ensure that the site operates safely, securely, and in accordance with public health guidance. In addition to support provided on site, Home Office officials have held discussions with asylum seekers about their concerns and to provide further reassurance, including about their safety and wellbeing.In response to the to the protests held at Napier, officials arranged a call with some of the residents to listen to their concerns. Reassurances were provided that moves out of the camp will shortly recommence, with vulnerability, time spent in the asylum process and overall length of stay in initial accommodation as a key considerations in this process. Weekly Home Office-led forums with residents will also be held going forward and surveys in relation to food and living standards at the site will be undertaken.Asylum seekers’ basic needs are being met, including three meals per day provided by an on-site chef. In addition, Clearsprings Ready Homes offers those on-site wraparound services including a variety of sports, leisure and educational activities on site. These include English classes, televisions and Wi-fi, and a games room with equipment including pool tables, footballs, basketballs and board games. Mobile telephones are provided if asylum seekers do not have one to ensure that contact can be made.All asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services, and they can get information about how to obtain further support including legal advice where appropriate.At Napier Barracks the Home Office have worked closely with the Local Clinical Commissioning Group in Kent to ensure that arrangements are in place for asylum seekers to access health care as required. The operation of the sites takes cultural and religious needs into account. There are multi-faith rooms at both sites and catering will take account of dietary requirements in accordance with religious needs.

Cabinet Office

Elections: Coronavirus

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the nomination processfor the elections due to be held in May is not adversely affected by COVID-19 restrictions; and in particular, whether they intend (1) to change the number of signatures required per nominee, and (2) to allow such signatures to be sent electronically.

Lord True: We have received representations from Parliamentarians on this issue, and we are currently considering the matter.We will keep Parliament updated on the election preparations, will engage with political parties and will publish detailed guidance in due course.

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the decision to stop allowing claims under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for furloughed employees serving statutory and contractual notice periods from 1 December 2020, what support is available to employers who have been forced to close and are now obliged to give employees notice for redundancy.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government has spent over £280 billion to put in place a substantial package of support measures which are carefully designed to complement each other to provide businesses and individuals with certainty over the coming months. The objective of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to help employers whose operations have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. Employers which have been forced to close due to national restrictions – although not eligible to claim Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grants for employees entering a contractual redundancy period – may still be eligible for other elements of the Government’s support package. This package of measures includes Government-backed loans, tax deferrals, Business Rate reliefs, and general and sector-specific grants. The Government urges businesses to visit the online Coronavirus Business Support Finder Tool for tailored information on how to access support available to them.

Taxation: Domicil

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK residents claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC in the most recent tax year for which figures are available.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK residents claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC over the past five to 10 years; and whether the number of UK residents claiming non-domiciled status increased or decreased during this period.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The number of UK residents who claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC is provided in the table below. Figures are provided for the last ten years, up to 2018-19, the most recent year for which figures are available. The decrease seen between 2015-16 and 2017-18 is explained by the deemed domicile rules introduced in April 2017. Tax yearUK resident non domiciled individuals2009-1082,7002010-1181,0002011-1280,2002012-1382,0002013-1484,3002014-1586,5002015-1685,2002016-17p76,5002017-18p64,4002018-19p64,000p = Figures for the most recent years are provisional and are subject to revision due to late filing of tax returns. Further statistics and commentary are provided in the HMRC publication “Statistics on non-domiciled taxpayers in the UK” which is available on GOV.UK[1].   [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-non-domiciled-taxpayers-in-the-uk

Directors: Finance

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to directors of small private companies who pay themselves in dividends.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to UIN 123616 on 7 December 2020.

Business: Coronavirus

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce (1) a taxable grant for directors of limited companies, and (2) a scheme to reimburse small businesses for lost revenue, as part of a COVID-19 support package.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government acknowledges that it has not been possible to support everyone as they might want. Targeting additional support for those who receive dividends in lieu of remuneration is complex. Income from dividends is a return on investment in the company, rather than wages. Under current reporting mechanisms it is not possible for HMRC to distinguish between dividends derived from an individual’s own company and dividends from other sources, and between dividends in lieu of employment income and as returns from other corporate activity. Limited company directors may still be eligible for other elements of the generous support available, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (in respect of their salary but not their dividends), Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. To help businesses dealing with lost revenue, the Government has introduced the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) (Closed), giving businesses forced to close due to national or local restrictions up to £3,000 per month. This was worth over £1bn for the four weeks of national lockdown in November. In addition, these businesses will benefit from one-off grants of up to £9,000 as announced on 5 January. Similarly, where local areas were subject to enhanced restrictions on socialising, in particular a ban on indoor household mixing, LAs will receive funding that will enable them to make grants to hospitality, leisure, and accommodation businesses worth up to £2,100 per month. Businesses which are not eligible for the grants for closed businesses may be able to benefit from funding from the Additional Restrictions Grant. The Government recently increased the funding available under this scheme to £1.6 billion across England. It is up to each local authority to determine eligibility for this scheme based on their assessment of local economic need; the Government encourages local authorities to support businesses which have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions, but which are ineligible for the other grant schemes.

German Property Group: Insolvency

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the collapse of the German Property Group for UK investors in that company, and the prospect of compensation payments.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is working closely with financial advisers who advised customers to make these investments, and operators of Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), whose customers currently hold investments with the German Property Group. The FCA has published a joint statement with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The statement sets out what UK consumers should do if they invested in the German Property Group via an FCA authorised firm, either a financial adviser firm or a SIPP operator. If the customer believes these investments were mis-sold, they may be eligible for compensation via the FOS or FSCS. The FCA’s statement can be accessed at https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/gpg-companies-preliminary-bankruptcy-proceedings. Companies under the German Property Group are incorporated in Germany and have never been authorised by the FCA. However, consumers should be assured that the FCA is working closely with the FOS and FSCS on this matter and will share any further updates as and when they are able to.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Musicians: EU Countries

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential additional costs since 1 January 2021 to a five-member musical troupe of touring in three countries in theEU.

Baroness Barran: The Government recognises the importance of international touring for UK cultural and creative practitioners, and their support staff.We know that while leaving the EU will bring changes and new processes to touring and working in the EU, it will also bring new opportunities. In all circumstances, we expect the UK’s creative output to continue to be an export that is as highly valued in the European Union as it is across the world.Estimated costs are likely to vary depending on a number of factors that will be specific to each tour. Additional costs, for example, are likely to change depending on whether the performances are paid or unpaid; which EU Member States are visited and for how long; whether equipment is taken and the value of that equipment, as well as the mode of transportation.Leaving the EU has always meant that there would be changes to how practitioners operate in the EU. DCMS has engaged with the sector extensively throughout negotiations and since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to understand the diverse circumstances of companies, organisations and individual practitioners and how they may need to adapt as they plan activity across the European Union.Going forward we will continue to work closely with the sector, including with representative organisations, to assess impact and to ensure businesses and individuals have the advice and guidance they need to meet new requirements.

Culture Recovery Fund

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the work of the Heritage Lottery Fund in administering grants under the Culture Recovery Fund, and (2) whether that organisation has sufficient staffing capacity to ensure timely decisions for grant applicants.

Baroness Barran: The Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage is being administered by both the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.Leaders from these arms-length-bodies are in constant communication with DCMS and we work collaboratively to ensure that deadlines and workload are appropriate for the resource in each team. We are confident that decisions will be communicated to grant applicants in a timely way.

UK City of Culture

Lord Vaizey of Didcot: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the criteria for bids for the UK City of Culture 2025; when they expect (1) bidding cities to return expressions of interest, and (2) to announce the winning bid; andwhat plans they have to commit to having a UK City of Culture in 2029.

Baroness Barran: The UK City of Culture competition is a flagship DCMS programme and a proven model for using culture and creativity to regenerate and transform places. We want to continue to harness this power, especially as places across the UK plan for their recovery from Covid-19. We are currently in dialogue with the devolved administrations and expect to publish the criteria for bidders in the coming months. Subject to the launch date, we anticipate a timetable that will ask places to return expressions of interest towards the middle of this year, and to announce the winning bid at the end of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture in May 2022. UK City of Culture has been a quadrennial process since 2013 and any announcements about future competitions will be made once the 2025 competition has been confirmed.